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The rise of social media comedy has created a new pathway into Nollywood, with online personalities increasingly finding opportunities on the big screen.
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For some skit makers, the characters that built their online following have become a foundation for more serious acting careers.
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Their success has also shown that an audience built online can translate into opportunities across Nigeria’s wider entertainment industry.
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Several of the comedians who became household names online now have filmographies that extend well beyond their original skit personas.
September 04, (THEWILL) — Skit-making has become a notable pathway into Nollywood, with several online comedians now building careers beyond social media.
What started as short comedy videos built around exaggerated characters, everyday situations and internet trends has become a genuine entry point into acting, with several skit makers now building careers beyond social media.
For many, the transition has happened gradually, with movie appearances following years of building loyal audiences online.
Some have carried their familiar comedy personas into film, while others have used the opportunity to show a different side of their acting.
With more online comedians now appearing in full-length productions, the move from skits to movies is becoming less of an unusual crossover and more of a natural progression in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Here are five skit makers who have made that transition.
1. Folagbade Banks
Before Nollywood came calling, Folagbade Banks had already built a recognizable identity through his Mama Deola character, the outspoken Yoruba mother whose mannerisms, accent, and everyday observations became central to his skits.
His comedy grew during the COVID-19 period, eventually turning the character into one of Nigeria’s recognizable online personas.
Banks has appeared in “The Eve” (2024) and “Okoto”, but his biggest step into film comes with “A Mama Deola Wedding Story” (2026), his feature-film debut, which he produced and stars in.
The film expands the character audiences know from his skits into a full-length story.
2. Layi Wasabi
Layi Wasabi built his audience around his exaggerated lawyer character, using satire and observations about Nigerian life to create short-form comedy that quickly became recognisable online.
His delivery and character work eventually translated into movie roles, allowing him to bring the same comedic timing into longer-form stories.
He has appeared in “Adire” (2023), “Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre” (2024), “Japa!” (2024), “Everybody Loves Jenifa” (2024) and “After 30” (2025).
3. Nasboi
Nasboi’s route was slightly different. He first gained attention online by mimicking Davido, earning the nickname “Low Budget OBO”, before developing original characters and building a career in comedy.
His skits increasingly relied on characterisation and acting, creating a natural bridge into film.
He has appeared in “Lockdown” (2021), “Passport” (2022), “Saving Onome” (2024), “Dead Serious” (2024) and “Makemation” (2025).
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4. Mr Macaroni
Mr Macaroni became widely known through his Daddy Wa character and comic portrayals of relationships, family dynamics, and everyday Nigerian life.
His skits frequently featured established actors, giving him an early connection to the film industry while allowing audiences to see his acting ability.
That experience eventually translated into a substantial Nollywood career.
He has appeared in “Ponzi” (2021), “Ayinla” (2021), “Aníkúlápó” (2022), “Brotherhood” (2022), and “Gangs of Lagos” (2023).
He has also taken on more dramatic roles in projects such as “Jagun Jagun” (2023) and “Lisabi: The Uprising” (2024).
5. Broda Shaggi
Broda Shaggi’s transition is one of the most established among Nigerian skit makers.
He developed the Broda Shaggi character through Instagram comedy, combining exaggerated street humour with satire and eventually becoming one of the most recognisable personalities from Nigeria’s skit-making boom.
His online popularity opened the door to Nollywood, where he has appeared in “The Bling Lagosians” (2019), “The Millions” (2019), “Fate of Alakada” (2020), “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” (2020), “Dwindle” (2021) and “Call of My Life” (2026), among several other productions.
Evi-Ben Ezaga is an entertainment and society writer with a passion for stories that explore culture, people, and the stories shaping society today.
